Hundreds expected at Cork protest for Savita

Campaigners will hold a demonstration in Cork this afternoon (Friday) calling on the Government to legislate for abortions in cases where the mother’s life is at risk. It comes after the death of Savita Halappanavar from septicaemia a week after she began to miscarry and asked for a termination. The 31 year-old, who was 17 weeks pregnant and died at Galway University Hospital on October 28th, was denied the abortion after the foetus was found to have a heartbeat.

Her parents have blamed Ireland's abortion laws for her death. "In an attempt to save a four-month-old foetus they killed my daughter. How is that fair you tell me?," said Ms Halappanavar's mother. "How many more cases will there be? The rules should be changed as per the requirement of Hindus. We are Hindus, not Christians."

Co-founder of Cork Feminista, Linda Kelly said that while Wednesday night's candle-light vigil outside Cork Opera House- images of which have gone viral across the globe- was a time to "reflect and mourn" Ms Halappanavar, the protest today, Friday on Daunt's Square at 1pm would be an outlet for the anger felt by pro-choice campaigners. The event is being organised by Pro-Choice Alliance Cork and will precede a major protest in Dublin's Parnell Square tomorrow, Saturday at 4pm.

“I don’t like to use the word ‘tragedy’, as this could have been prevented. There's anger there, justified anger,” said Ms Kelly. “The Government needs to be shown that this cannot continue.”